Golfer&#39;s aid



Dec. 10, 1968 B, s, ROOT 3,415,518

GOLFER S AID Filed OOC. 22, 1965 23 4 f 1W Illlll /92 is 94 s 9o III/lll INVENTOR. BAILEY s. ROOT ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,415,518 GOLFERS AID Bailey S."Ro0t, 510 Lexington Ave., Newport, Ky. 41071 Filed Oct. 22, 1965, Ser. No. 501,283 4 Claims. (Cl. 273-32) ABSTRACT 0F THE DISCLOSURE A golfers aid including detachably connected first and second portions. The second portion is cylindrical and has a cavity therein. The first portion has rigidly embedded therein a pair of spaced elongated rigid tool members having sharp pointed ends which normally extend into the cavity of the second portion. The second portion also has a recess formed in its outer end surface with a metal disc ball marker positioned therein and held in said position by a magnet carried by the second portion. The free end of the first portion may include a mechanical pencil which is accessible from the exterior of the body means.

The present invention relates to a golfers aid which is adapted to serve several useful purposes for a golfer in a usual golf game.

In addition, the golfers aid may serve several useful purposes during an average round of golf. During the normal golf game, a player often has occasion to mark the golf ball on a green. So-called ball markers are used for this purpose, and the average player often does not have a particularly suitable object to use as a ball marker and is required to use coins or other objects for this purpose. In the present invention, a disc-like ball marker means is employed which is quite suitable for this purpose in that it is of a very thin disc-like construction and may be provided with a highly polished or painted surface to make it readily visible. This ball marker is so mounted -on the body means of the aid or device that it is normally disposed within a recess and substantially flush with the surrounding parts of the body means so that it does not in any way detract from the over-all appearance of the aid. The body means is further provided with a special construction so that the ball marker means may be readiy removed even though it is normally disposed in a substantially flush relationship. The ball marker may also be readily replaced in position when desired.

The golfers aid also includes a tool which is disposed within a cavity 4defined by two separate portions of the body means of the device. This tool is ordinarily completely enclosed and hidden from view, and the two halves of the device may be separated to expose the tool for use. This tool is of such a nature that it may be employed for a number of different purposes by the golfer. The tool comprises a pair of elongated rigid members having sharp outer ends, and this arrangement is particularly suitable for repairing ball marks on a green. Additionally, this tool may be employed for cleaning the spikes on the golfers golf shoes or for cleaning out the grooves provided in the head of a golf club. This tool is readily available for use, and when the two halves of the device are in assembled relationship, the tool is completely enclosed and there is no hazard to the golfer since the golfer is completely protected from the sharp points in the assembled relationship ofthe apparatus.

In one modification of the present invention, mechanical pencil means is provided, this mechanical pencil means being accessible from the exterior of the body means. It is apparent that this mechanical pencil means may be employed for keeping score during the golf game.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a Patented Dec. 10, 1968 golfers aid including ball marker means which is readily removable and replaceable for marking a golf ball.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a golfers aid including means in the form of a tool for repairing ball marks on the green, and which also may be employed for cleaning the spikes of golf shoes or the grooves in the hitting faces of the golf club heads.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a golfers aid including means in the form of a mechanical pencil for keeping score during a golf round.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a golfers aid which is quite simple, compact and inexpensive in construction, and yet which at the same time is quite sturdy and versatile.

Gther objects and many attendant advantages of the invention will become more apparent when considered in connection with the specification and accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevation of a first form of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the two halves of the body means separated from one another;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section through the structure shown in FIG. l;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIG. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 5-5 of FIG. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the structure shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is an elevation of a modified form of the inventlon;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7'illustrating the two halves of the body means shown in FIG. 7 separated from one another; and

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal section through the structure shown in FIG. 7.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, a first form of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 6, and the body means indicated generally by reference numeral 20 includes a first or upper portion 22 and a second or lower portion 24. It will be noted particularly as seen in FIG. l that the device provides an outer configuration similar to that of a bottle or the like. In a typical example, the overall height of the gadget according to the present invention may be approximately 2% inches. Accordingly, the device is adapted to be readily carried in the pocket of a golfer and is of such size as not to interfere with the normal walking or swinging motion of the golfer.

A cavity 30 is formed within the upper portion 22, and a metallic liner 32 is snugly received within a portion of this cavity and extends `downwardly beyond the cavity as seen most clearly in FIG. 2. Referring now to FIG. 4, liner 32 is provided with four equally spaced embossments or dimples 34 which extend outwardly and are snugly received within correspondingly shaped recesses provided in the inner surface of the upper portion 22. This interengagernent of the embossments and the recesses retains the liner in the operative position shown.

The lower portion of liner 32 extends downwardly a substantial distance below the lower end of the upper portion 22 of the body means, and a body of material 40 of the same plastic material as portions 22 and 24 is disposed within liner 32, the body of material 40' being molded in place as shown and having the lower surface thereof substantially flush with the lower edges of liner 32.

The tool means comprises a pair of spaced elongated rigid members 42 and 44 having the upper ends thereof as seen in FIG. 3 embedded within the body of material 40, and with the lower ends thereof extending a substantial distance below the body of material and terminating in sharp pointed end portions 42 and 44 respectively. These two spaced rigid members may be formed of a suitable material such as steel or the like, and the interrelationship thereof and the sharp pointed ends permit the tool to be readily employed for repairing `ball marks on the green, for cleaning golf spikes, or for cleaning out the grooves in the striking faces of golf club heads. It will be noted that the members 42 and 44 are of different lengths.

A liner is fitted snugly within the cavity formed within the lower portion 24 of the body means, liner 50 also being formed of a metallic substance and including four equally spaced outwardly extending embossments or dimples S2 which fit snugly within correspondingly shaped recesses formed in the inner surface of portion 24 for retaining the liner in operative position. A substantially circular shaped hole 54 is formed in the lower portion of the liner to provide a clearance with the magnet hereinafter described.

A recess is formed in the lower end wall of the portion 24 of the body means, this recess being indicated generally by reference numeral and being substantially circular so as to receive a correspondingly shaped ball marker means. As seen in FIG. 3, the peripheral portion of the recess 60 is deeper than the central portion of the recess. A substantially disc-like ball marker means 64 is snugly received within recess 60, this ball marker means being formed of ferrous material so as to be held in place by a magnet. It will be noted that the ball marker means when in the operative position as shown in FIG. 3 is disposed such that the outwardly facing surface thereof is substantially flush with the surrounding parts of the lower end wall of the body portion 24. When it is desired to remove the ball marker means from the position shown in FIG. 3, it can be moved into the canted position indicated in phantom lines in this figure by pressing on the peripheral portion of the ball marker means which in turn moves down into the deeper peripheral portion of the recess. It will be apparent that when the ball marker means is moved into the phantom line position shown in FIG. 3, it can be readily grasped and removed from the associated body portion.

A generally cylindrical permanent magnet 68 has the lower end thereof embedded in the end wall of the body portion 24 whereby the magnet is retained in the operative position shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. The lower end of magnet 68 is in communication with the recess 60` so that the ball marker means 64 will be retained in the operative position shown in full lines in FIG. 3 by the magnetic attraction between the magnet and the ball marker means. The hole 54 provided in liner 50 provides clearance between the liner and the magnet, and the magnet is adapted to be spaced from the rigid members 42 and 44 as illustrated, with the upper end of the magnet being positioned so as to permit the two body portions 22 and 24 to be moved into the contacting operative relationship shown in FIG. 3.

Referring now to FIGS. 7-9 inclusive, a modified form of the invention is illustrated wherein the body means is indicated generally by reference numeral 70. The body means includes a first or upper portion 72 and a second or lower portion 74, these two portions being formed of plastic or suitable material as in the previously described modification, and the two body portions cooperating when in assembled relationship to provide an outer configuration representing a beer bottle or the like.

As seen particularly in FIG. 9, a liner 78 is fitted snugly within a recess provided in body portion 72, this liner being metallic and including four equally spaced outwardly extending embossments or dimples 78 which are adapted to fit within correspondingly shaped recesses provided in the inner surface of body portion 72 for retaining the liner in operative position.

The liner 76 extends downwardly below the lower edge of body portion 72, and a `body of plastic material 80 is molded within the liner 76. In this modification the tool means comprises a pair of spaced elongated rigid members 82 and 84 formed of steel or the like which terminate at the lower ends thereof in sharp pointed ends 82 and 84 respectively whereby this tool may be employed in the same manner as that described in connection with the previous modification.

The upper body portion 70 includes the longitudinally extending bore which receives and supports the mechanical pencil means indicated generally by reference numeral 92 and including a conventional spiral portion 94 which is xedly mounted within bore 90. An elongated tubular portion 96 is operatively connected with the manually turnable portion 98 for feeding a piece of lead 100 inwardly and outwardly of the mechanical pencil means in a conventional manner. It is apparent that this mechanical pencil means may be employed for keeping score during a round of golf.

The provision of the mechanical pencil `means in this form of the invention causes the apparatus to be of slightly greater length than the first described modification, and in a typical example the apparatus shown in FIG. 9 may have an overall length of approximately 31/2 inches.

The lower body portion 74 has a metallic liner 104 snugly received within a cavity formed within portion 7 4, liner 104 having four equally spaced outwardly extending embossments or dimples 106 which are adapted to lit within correspondingly shaped recesses formed in the inner surface of body portion '74 for retaining the liner 104 in operative position.

A permanent magnet 110 is `molded within the lower end wall portion of body portion 74, magnet 110 having a substantially flat upper surface an-d an arcuate 4lower surface which in effect defines a recess 112 in the lower end wall of body portion 74, the recess being deeper at the peripheral portion 114 thereof so as to provide a recess similar to that provided in the previously described modification.

A ball marker means 116 of disc-like configuration is fitted relatively snugly wit-hin the recess provided in the lower end wall portion of the apparatus and is normally disposed such that the outwardly facing surface thereof is substantially flush with the surrounding parts of the end wall portion. As in the previous modification, the ball marker means may be moved into the canted position illustrated in phantom `lines in FIG. 9 by pressing on the peripheral portion of the ball -marker means to .move it down into the deeper portion of the recess 112. The ball marker means can then of course by readily removed.

It is apparent from the foregoing that there is provided according to the present invention a new and novel golfers laid which is adapted to serve several useful purposes for a golfer in a usual golf game. The device may provide an unusual and attractive appearance to the eye in that the outer configuration thereof may represent an object such as a bottle or the like which may have particular value for advertising. Each form of the invention provides a ball marker means which may be readily removed and replaced for marking a golf ball on a green. In addition, each form of the invention ta-lso provides a tool for repairing ball marks on a green, and which also may be employed for cleaning the spikes of golf shoes or the grooves in the golf club heads. One form of the invention also provides the mechanical pencil means for enabling the golfer to keep score therewith. In each instance, the invention is quite simple, compact and inexpensive in construction, and yet iat the same time is quite sturdy and versatile.

As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, and since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims, all changes that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims or that form their functional as well as conjointly cooperative equivalents yare therefore intended to be embraced by those claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A golfers pad comprising an elongated body of plastic material including iirst and second separate portions detachably interconnected with one another at inner ends thereof, -a cavity within said second portion, said second portion being substantially cylindrical and having a recess formed in the outer end surface thereof, and a disc-like ball marker means formed of metallic material disposed `Within said recess, a magnet supported by said second portion adjacent said recess for holding said ball marker means in position within said recess, `but permitting said ball marker means to be readily removed from said recess and tool means comprisin-g a pair of spaced elongated rigid members supported within said iirst portion and having sharp pointed ends extending therefrom into said cavity, said recess being generally circular to snugly receive said ball marker means therewithin so that said ball marker means is substantially ilush with the adjacent surrounding part of said second portion, said recess being deeper at t-he peripheral portions thereof to permit said ball marker means to tbe canted into a position for facilitating removal of the ball marker means from said recess.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein a mechanical pencil is supported by said 'first portion and is operable from the exterior thereof.

3. Apparatus as deiined in claim 1 'wherein said first portion has secured therein a metallic liner in which a body of material is fixedly disposed, said elongated rigid tool members being embedded within said body of material and said sharp pointed ends being spaced a substantial distance from said body of materiaL, the inner surface of said cavity in said second portion being defined by a metallic liner, said magnet being elongated and extending a substantial distance within said cavity.

4. A golfers aid comprising an elongated body including liirst and second separate portions detachably interconnected with one another at inner ends thereof, a cavity within said second portion, said second portion being substantially cylindrical and having a recess formed in the outer end surface thereof, and a disc-like ball marker means formed of lmetallic material disposed within said recess, a magnet supported by said second portion adjacent said recess for holding said ball mar-ker means in position within said recess, but permitting said ball marker means to be readily remofvedl from said recess, and tool means supported within said first portion cornprising a pair of spaced parallel elongated rigid members having sharp pointed ends, extending therefrom into said cavity, said rigid members being embedded in a body of material supported `within a liner secured in said first portion.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,997,382 4/1935 Howell 273-162 X 3,208,123 9/1965 lKoos s- 273-32 X 3,309,089 3/ 1967 Doyle 273-32 ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner. GEORGE J. MARLO, Assistant Examiner.

U.S. C1. XR.

lll- 99; 401-52 

